Prevent - Radicalisation

Terrorism - attacks - bombings
Sometimes it feels like the world is full of scary things that we cannot understand. Terrorist attacks anywhere in the world leave us feeling anxious and upset - it
might make you feel worried to go out or travel. People talk about extremism and radicalisation and you may wonder what they mean and how it affects you.

It is really important to know that there is always someone to talk to about your worries. Speak to someone you trust at home or college or speak to someone in confidence at Childline tel 0800 1111 or online at www.childline.org.uk.

Question what you read or see online and if you feel worried about something harmful speak to a person you trust as soon as possible.

What is extremism?

Extremism, in a political or religious sense, would be an ideology that is considered by most
people to be far beyond the accepted mainstream of society.

What is radicalisation?
Radicalisation is the adopting of exteme (political, religious or social) views by an individual or group.

If a person or group decides that fear, terror and violence are justified to try to achieve radical ideological, political or social change, and then takes action accordingly, this may be considered violent extremism or terrorism.

Factors that can lead to radicalisation
Radicalisation can look different for each person, often vulnerable people are exploited, they may be more susceptible to radicalisation due to:

- a sense of social isolation
- low self esteem
- feeling rejected by their peers, faith, social group or family
- pressure from peers associated with extremism
- being a victim or witness to hate crime/incidents or bullying
- conflict with family or friends over views on society or possibly interpretation of faith
- conflict with family or friends over lifestyle choices/extreme political views
- identity confusion
- an event or series of traumatic events – personal, national or global
- a feeling that an element of their identity is under threat or treated unjustly.

Spotting the signs of radicalisation
Some of the signs might be:

- isolation/withdrawal from family/friends
- obsession with and secrecy around the internet/social networking sites
- becoming uncooperative/disengaged
- using abusive/aggressive/extremist views/comments/ threats/language
- fascination/fixation with weapons/chemicals/explosives/extremist activity/events
- significant changes in relationships
- the use of seemingly scripted speech
- change in behaviour or appearance due to new influences
- seeking to recruit/‘groom’ others to an extremist ideology
- possession of violent extremist literature.

The Prevent strategy
Prevent is in place to safeguard individuals and communities from the threat of radicalisation, extremism and terrorism. This relates to all forms of extremism and terrorism and can include groups that advocate racial or religious hatred and violence, jihadist groups or extreme animal rights groups.

Prevent focuses on early intervention before any illegal activity takes place. The aim is to stop people becoming or supporting terrorism or extremism.

Prevent does not aim to criminalise people for holding views; instead, it seeks to stop individuals from going to the extreme of committing or encouraging violent activity.

To safeguard against vulnerable people being radicalised, a referral can be made into the Channel process. Channel is a national initiative but operates on a local basis.

Channel is a voluntary process that has been developed to provide support to people at risk of being drawn towards extremism and terrorism in all their forms. It provides a support package tailored to the individual’s needs - further information can be found on the West Sussex Safeguarding Children Board and the GOV.UK websites.

Reporting concerns
If you become aware of an individual you feel is vulnerable to radicalisation, suspect someone is being radicalised or encouraged to support terrorism, or you are experiencing pressure from others regarding this, talk to someone you trust or the Sussex Police Prevent Team:

Email: prevent@sussex.pnn.police.uk
Phone: To talk to the Prevent Co-ordinator or the Prevent Officers call 101 and ask for the Prevent Team